This page has information for Systems Integrators to help you assess if Mobile Office is the right solution for your customers. Here you can learn about MO software, hardware, and pricing options, with links to more detailed pages throughout the site.
What is Mobile Office?
Who is MO for? What software does MO use?
How does MO software work, and how do I integrate with it? How are documents sent to MO for printing?
Where is MO hosted?
What's needed for Broadband capability?
What hardware components make up MO?
What operating system and office suite does MO use?
Can I license MO software on different hardware?
How much does MO cost?
MO is an affordable computer, scanner, and printer unit assembled from high quality, name brand hardware that is designed for mobile use. MO is designed for easy document transfers, printing, scanning, photo, video, word processing, and Skype functions. MO has built-in Wi-Fi and is Broadband card capable.
MO is for anyone who works in the field or on the road that needs a portable, ruggedized computing unit for any of the above mentioned computing functions. MO specifically benefits workers who need to get paperwork from the field to the office, or vice versa, for back-end processing or for use in the field. See our MO for All page for specific benefits to users by industry.
MO comes with specially designed Mobile Office software by Profit Tools for Document Transfers and Printing. Other functions such as word processing, spreadsheets, and multi-media presentations are performed using OpenOffice software that comes pre-installed on the ASUS 900. Skype, Firefox, and an instant messaging client are also preinstalled.
Mobile Office software for Document Transfers is designed to be simple to use for both field workers and office staff, and easy to integrate with. The basic workflow is this:
• Field worker scans document into MO and provides identifying information
• Document is uploaded to web server
• Document is (optionally) reviewed and accepted on web server by office staff/ recipient
• Documents is placed into FTP outbox for pickup by external applications or custom scripts, and/or relayed to one or more designated email recipients
Workflow for Field Workers The process starts when field workers scan a document. They can assign reference numbers and document types so that office staff receives organized information that can seamlessly integrate into existing applications or third party software. Basic workflow from the field worker's perspective consists of scanning the document and labeling it on the MO Document Transfer interface. Identifying information is Division (from a dropdown, if user is assigned to more than one division), Document Type (from a list that is defined on the server for each division, such as "Job Ticket", "RMA Form", "Proof of Delivery", etc), and Reference Number (such as Job Number, RMA Number, Shipment Number, etc.)
Once the image is scanned it will appear on the screen. Users can either accept the image for upload to the server, or discard and scan it again:
If the user accepts the image a message will appear in the message box stating that the image has been accepted and is queued for upload to the server. If you are connected to the internet, the document uploads immediately; if you are not connected, the document is stored and will upload as soon as you have a connection. Office staff can then access the scanned documents from the server.
Workflow for Office Staff Workers log-in to the web server with username and password, and select which division to work with. They are brought to a screen where all the images that the field users have scanned are listed on the left. Office staff can accept or edit the documents. If a reference number or document type needs to be changed, they can do so. If the document is satisfactory they click "Accept". Clicking Accept causes the document to be delivered according to the delivery methods defined for that division, which can include email and FTP options.
Document delivery and integration to target systems. With the email option, the document will be sent to one or more designated email accounts, each as a BCC. With the FTP option, the document is placed in an FTP outbox where it can be picked up for integration into form processing or workflow software, document management systems, or other existing software programs. The document type and reference number assigned to the document are embedded in the document names. This enables you to create an automated smart transfer from the FTP Outbox into other software by document type and/or reference number and use this identifying information to feed your target system's API or filing structure. If you do not employ an automated collection like this, workers could be given access to go into the FTP Outbox and manually transfer the documents from the MO server onto their own system.
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Each field user with print capability is issued a virtual email address on MO server. Anyone can send a document to print in the field by emailing a PDF to the field user's account on the MO server. This can be either a native PDF sent as an attachment, or anything that the user could send to an ordinary printer by using a print-to-PDF utility with email capability. Field workers will see documents that were sent to them for printing on the left side of the user interface. Users select the documents they wish to print, and hit Print. This makes it easier for the field worker because they don't have to handle emails and attachments, and they can both scan and print from within the same application.
The Mobile Office server is hosted and supported by Profit Tools at Rackspace, for the utmost in performance, uptime, bandwidth, and security for users. Profit Tools maintains the server so there is zero administration for systems integrators.
Mobile Office is Broadband capable, however, for most broadband cards some configuration/activation assistance will be required. Profit Tools offers a Software/ Broadband Data bundle package deal in which the broadband card is preconfigured. We may be able to accomodate other Broadband cards if you already have accounts in place. Please contact us if this is of interest to you.
Asus Eee PC 900 laptop
Canon LiDE 25 flatbed scanner
Pentax PocketJet 3 full page thermal printer
For detailed information about hardware components click here.
Mobile Office uses a Linux operating system (Xandros version) designed for maximum reliability and ease-of-use in a mobile environment. OpenOffice software comes pre-installed for word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications, and is compatibile with other software programs. Work created with OpenOffice can be saved in different formats including Mocrosoft Office format (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), so that they can be acessed or modified from either Linux or Microsoft applications. OpenOffice can also open documents stored in these formats that were created in Microsoft applications. You get the stability, ease of use, and low cost of Linux and OpenOffice, along with being able to succesfully integrate with other operating systems that may receive document transfers from the Mobile Office unit.
MO software is built so that it can be utilized with other hardware components and platforms. If you have an application in mind that would require different hardware, or if you are a hardware vendor that would like to enhance your platform with MO's software capabilities, we welcome the opportunity to work with you. Please inquire to sales@ProfitTools.net
MO is available in two base units, either with or without the optional printer.
Standard (without printer) $1,199.00
Unit with printer $1,549.00
For detailed pricing information please see our affordable page.
